Combined hassock, nutcracker and disposal unit

Abstract

A combination hassock, nutcracker and disposal kit is disclosed and includes a container 11 having an open and a closed end with a cushioned removable top 15 serving to close the open end. A nutcracker 40 is attached to a part-circular shelf 35 and a pliable shield 42 serves to prevent shell frgments from being expelled from container 11 during a nut cracking procedure. A plurality of screws 37 extend transversely through the sidewall of container 11 to engage the arcurate portion of shelf 35 for retention thereof within container 11. A removable tray 45 is positioned on shelf 35 and serves as a storage area for uncracked nuts, condiments, etc. Discarded shell fragments may be swept or scraped off shelf 35 into lower compartment 39 of container 11 for retention therein until it is convenient to dispose of them. Cushioned removable top 15, shelf 35 and container 11 are each provided with a decorative vinyl coating for aesthetic purposes. One or more handles 21 assist in moving hassock 10 to a desired location and also assist in up-ending container 11 when it is desired to empty the contents therein for disposal. One or more strapes 17 provide a snap-on connection to releasably secure removable top 15 to container 11.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A combination furniture item and a waste disposal kit comprising in combination: a container having a closed bottom end and an open top end,   a removable top for said container,   means releasably securing said removable top to an exterior surface of said container,   shelf means disposed within and dividing said container into an upper and a lower compartment,   said shelf means being parallel with and spaced from said closed bottom end of said container and extending at least one-half the diameter of said container, and   nut cracker means attached to said shelf and accessible through said open end of said container when said removable top is removed therefrom, whereby when nuts are cracked by said nutcracker, the waste nut hulls or shells may be swept off of said shelf into said lower compartment for subsequent disposal thereof.   
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable top includes a first circular disk disposed within said open top of said container, a second circular disk attached to said first circular disk and having a circumferential lip resting on said open top end of said container, and a foam rubber cushion layer attached to said second circular disk. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cushioned top surface area of said removable top serves as a foot stool or seat when positioned to close said open top of said container and including a decorative vinyl cover means for all surfaces of said removable top and for the exterior of said container. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means releasably securing said removable top to an exterior surface of said container includes at least one strap element having a first end attached to said removable top and a second end provided with a snap fastener and releasably attached to a mating snap fastener disposed on the exterior of said container. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shelf means comprises a substantially semi-circular wooden shelf having an arcuate section and a section diametrically extending across the interior of said container, a plurality of attachments extending through the exterior sidewall of said container into said arcuate section of said shelf to attach said shelf to said container. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said removable top comprises a first circular layer of substantially the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of said container, a second circular layer having an outside diameter of substantially the same diameter as the exterior diameter of said container to thereby form a circumferential lip surface above said first circular layer, said circumferential lip surface adapted to rest on the circumference of said open end of said container when said removable top is positioned thereon, a third circular layer of foam rubber having an exterior diameter substantially equal to that of said second circulary layer, said third circular layer of foam rubber having thickness approximately twice that of the combined thickness of said first and said second circular layers, and a vinyl covering attached to and enclosing said first, said second and said third circular layers. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 1 including handle means disposed on the exterior of said container to facilitate movement thereof for positioning the furniture item or to empty accumulated nut shell or other debris collected within said container. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a plastic bucket type container and said removable top is provided with a cushioned top surface, said cushioned top surface and said container each being provided with a vinyl covering thereon and when said removable top is positioned on said container, the combination furniture item has a height sufficient to serve as a foot stool or hassock. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shelf means includes a storage area for storing a supply of nuts to be cracked by said nut cracker and at least one receptacle for depositing nut meats obtained from cracking the nuts. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 1 including a removable tray supported on said shelf means, said removable tray having at least one integral receptacle thereon. 
     
     
       11. The combination of claim 10 including shield means attached to said shelf means and serving to cover said nut cracker means during a nut cracking procedure to prevent shell particles from accidently exiting said container. 
     
     
       12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said shield means comprises an elongated pliable sheet, said elongated sheet having one end thereof permanently affixed to said shelf and another end thereof releasably attached to said shelf. 
     
     
       13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said removable tray includes an opening therein, a snap fastener attached to said shelf and positioned within said opening of said removable tray, a mating snap fastener disposed on said another end of said elongated sheet for releasably attaching said sheet to said shelf to thereby retain said removable tray on said shelf when said snap fastener on said sheet is attached to said snap fastener on said shelf.